Nahant boat fire ruled arson

NAHANT – A fire on a boat at 29 Valley Road early Monday has been ruled arson, according to Jennifer Meith, spokeswoman for the state Department of Fire Services.Meith said the boat was stored in the backyard of John Bardgett?s house at the Valley Road address, but that it actually belonged to a friend of his.?It was intentionally set,” Meith said.Her unit is asking the public to come forward with any information. There is a reward of up to $5,000, through the Arson Watch Reward Program, for information leading to an arrest.The Nahant Fire Department was dispatched at 3:39 a.m. Monday, said Jonathan Tibbo, a Nahant firefighter, one of the first responders to the fire.The fire was extinguished before it could spread to nearby residences, fire department equipment, or personal property. No injuries were reported, Tibbo said.?If anyone has any information – saw anything, heard anything – please confidentially call the arson hotline (1-800-682-9229),” Meith said.